FSSAI licence for caterers — what to check (2026)

By the kitchen office, RASA · Published 30 Aug 2026 · Bangalore & Bengaluru

Every caterer in India must hold FSSAI registration or a licence; from 1 April 2026 the thresholds changed — Basic Registration up to ₹1.5 crore turnover (was ₹12 lakh), State Licence ₹1.5–50 crore (was ₹12 lakh–20 crore), Central Licence above ₹50 crore. A wedding caterer of any size in Bangalore typically holds a State Licence. Ask for the 14-digit licence number on the quote and check it on FoSCoS; a Food Safety Display Board at the kitchen and a FoSTaC-trained supervisor are the other two things worth asking about.

What changed in 2026

An amendment gazetted in March 2026 and effective 1 April 2026 raised the turnover thresholds: Basic Registration now covers businesses up to ₹1.5 crore (previously ₹12 lakh), a State Licence covers ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore (previously ₹12 lakh to ₹20 crore), and a Central Licence is required above ₹50 crore (previously ₹20 crore). Most guides online still quote the old numbers.

What a caterer is, under FSSAI

FSSAI defines catering as the business of providing food service at a remote site — a marriage hall, an office, a home — as distinct from a restaurant. Outdoor caterers are licensed under that head, and the licence carries the kitchen's address.

How to check

Ask for the 14-digit FSSAI number. It belongs on the quote and on the invoice.
Look it up on FoSCoS (the FSSAI licensing portal) — the business name and address should match.
Ask whether the kitchen displays a Food Safety Display Board and has a FoSTaC-trained food safety supervisor; both are prerequisites for FSSAI's hygiene rating scheme.

What it does not tell you

A licence says the kitchen is registered and inspected, not that the food is good. For that, taste, and ask who cooks each cuisine.

Questions people ask

Is an FSSAI licence mandatory for catering services?

Yes — every food business in India, including outdoor and wedding caterers, must hold FSSAI registration or a licence appropriate to its turnover.

Which FSSAI category does a wedding caterer need?

It depends on turnover: from 1 April 2026, Basic Registration up to ₹1.5 crore, State Licence from ₹1.5 crore to ₹50 crore, Central above ₹50 crore. Most Bangalore wedding caterers hold a State Licence.

How do I verify a caterer's FSSAI number?

Ask for the 14-digit number and check it on the FoSCoS portal; the registered name and kitchen address should match the business you are dealing with.

Get a menu and a per-plate quote, usually the same day

Date, head count, the cuisines you have in mind. Enough for the first reply to carry a menu and a number rather than a brochure.

What happens after you send the ticket

A written reply, usually the same day. A first menu built for your occasion, the per-plate figure it comes to, and the two or three questions we need settled before the number is firm.
A tasting. For weddings and events of size we cook the shortlist for you before you sign. Each cuisine on the menu is cooked by the chef who will cook it on the day.
The plan for the day. Counters, service staff, timings against your muhurtham or your agenda, and the venue's rules on outside catering, checked with the venue by us.